I was online and I saw the Huffington Post’s article about German photographer and model Silvana Denker and her mission to spread #bodylove.

On the streets of Berlin, Denker photographed eight women of different body shapes, sizes and ages in nothing but their underwear and bras. The photos are part of a new series entitled #Bodylove – a public showing of diversity and “how women look in reality.” This movement is fostering a greater tolerance and acceptance for the female body (and sometimes male), the project has become a way to challenge mainstream beauty standards and body shaming.

Seeing this photo triggered something in me.

I, like many, have had an up and down relationship with my body over the years. There are days when I love my body for how strong it is, for the fact that it moves me daily, and that it birthed and fed my son. There are many reasons way I love my body. But then there are days, that my critical mind runs the show and I ‘beat myself up’ for not being perfect and not looking the way I feel I should look.

But ‘perfect‘ and ‘should‘ are not part of the self-love vocabulary.

When I saw this picture I felt respect. I respect that these women are standing proud and talking about the importance of loving and accepting our bodies just as they are.

I also felt was relief. I thought to myself, “I give myself permission to love myself as I am now.”

I am thankful that these women have taken such an incredible stance on self acceptance! I admire the vulnerability, courage and authenticity.

I, like many, I am waaaaayyyyy too hard on myself. Especially after having a baby and my body being different than before I became pregnant. I stand in the mirror and think, “If I could just smooth out this area here, and I just need to lift this bit there.” When left unchecked, the self criticism can run rampant in my mind. Even though I know intellectually that the negative self talk is not helpful or true, I find all the marketing and subliminal messages sneak into my subconscious and before I know it, I’m criticizing myself again.

Seeing this picture gave me permission. Permission to forget about the so-called “ideals”. Permission to stop the comparisons. Permission to tune into the voice of self love that resides within me and tells me that I am beautiful just the way I am.

I hope this photo and it’s message serves as a reminder that we are all okay just as we are. 

Self love = Body Love

xo, M